Have been caregiving for mom for over 6 years, and she is bedridden and has dementia, alzheimers, COPD, and parkinson. Just in the past week or two I have seen a drastic difference going from small solid food to now requiring mashed food due to a parkinson twitch in her jaw which in combination with a COPD cough made it difficult to eat. She is now sleeping 24 hours a day and is not sundowning at night when I get up to change her.
This morning it took so long to get some oatmeal and ensure in her I put it in the blender and served it to her as a liquid; then its right back to sleep. She is also having night sweats and I am having to fully change her.
There is no temperture and her oxygen is fine; but is this a bad sign of things to come? I am worried and scared.
What am I looking at?
2 Answers
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My mother is the same age and lives near me in an AL facility. I went up to her room after lunchtime and found her still asleep in her nightgown. While she has always slept more than usual I felt somewhat sad. I think when we have been concerned, and in your case hands on,we wonder about the future. While my mother has annoyed me over the years she is a good person and it can be hard to imagine the future. At times I feel so tired with some of her needs yet they are not overwhelming but they have gone on for so many years. In her case well before she entered her senior years. It is hard or nearly impossible to predict just how I will feel once she is gone. I can be afraid of the present and afraid of the future. Knowing there is not a clear solution is not an endearing feeling.
I think you have to continue the care you are doing and hope that when the time comes you will cope as best as you can. I don't think there is a clear template on what will happen in regards to an exact time frame with her future stages. I hope you will provide for her needs to the degree that is a help with her possible pain and suffering. And I wish you strength to always move forward.
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